Resource Hub for Small Flock Poultry Health
The Small Flocks Collaborative (SFC) helps small flock owners take simple, everyday steps to care for their birds, prevent disease, and keep a healthy flock. Here, you’ll find information on flock care, biosecurity, and poultry diseases. SFC grew from the Western Small Flocks Collaborative, and its founding partners from Colorado, the Navajo Nation, New Mexico, and Wyoming remain at the heart of our work as we expand our partnerships and reach across the country.
Bird Basics
Simple guides on poultry care.
Bird Basics
Thinking of getting birds? Start with bird basics
Coop Management
Clean and safe housing helps stop disease
Egg Handling
Collect and store safely to protect birds and people
Common Pests
Lice, mites, and wild visitors can carry germs
Healthy Birds, Happy Flocks
Resources for keeping poultry safe, healthy, and thriving.
Biosecurity
Practical tips for keeping your flock healthy.
- Keep new germs out
- Clean the right way
- Handle sick birds safely
- Reduce risk at fairs and shows
- Avoid bringing disease home
Poultry Diseases
Recognizing common poultry diseases helps you take action early and protect your flock.
- Prevent disease
- Monitor for signs of disease
- What to do if your birds are sick
- Disease Library – Learn more about ILT, Marek’s, Mycoplasma, and other diseases
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza(HPAI)
Bird flu continues to affect poultry across the U.S. Stay alert and prepared.
- Know the signs of illness
- Learn what to do if your birds are exposed
- Report unusual illness or death in your flock
Get Support in Your State
Poultry health contact information for Colorado, Navajo Nation, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
Includes contacts for available poultry hotlines, diagnostic labs in each state, state animal health official offices, and the National Poultry Improvement Plan.
Contact information for more states and communities is coming soon.
About This Project
Whether you’re just getting started or have years of experience, you’ll find simple tools to care for your birds, protect them from disease, and monitor their health.
The Small Flocks Collaborative grew from the Western Small Flocks Collaborative, a regional effort created by university, state, and Tribal partners across Colorado, the Navajo Nation, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Growing interest from other states and communities has led us to expand the collaborative’s partnerships, resources, and reach. Our founding partners remain at the heart of this next phase.
This site focuses on three key areas:
- Bird Basics – housing, feeding, handling, and management tips
- Biosecurity – how to keep your flock safe from disease
- Disease Awareness – recognizing, responding to, and reporting illness
The regional project that launched the collaborative is led by Colorado State University in partnership with the Navajo Nation, the New Mexico Livestock Board, New Mexico State University, and the Wyoming Livestock Board. This work received funding through the USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP).
Together, we’re working to reduce the risk of disease in small flocks, and provide owners with the tools to take action with confidence.